Electric toothbrushes have been shown to clean your teeth better than manual toothbrushes. In particular, electric toothbrushes can help better clean the area where your gums meet your teeth, making them a beneficial tool for people at-risk for gum disease or those recovering from gum disease [1].
Switching to an electric toothbrush can also better remove plaque in your oral cavity. With all the benefits of going electric for your oral care, it makes sense to invest in a quality electric toothbrush. However, what should you be looking for when shopping for an electric toothbrush?
Choose a Toothbrush With Soft Bristles
Many electric toothbrushes allow you to purchase brush heads separately so you can choose the level of firmness for your brush. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles to reduce risk of damage to tooth enamel and gum tissue [2]. Since you’ll want to choose brush heads from the same brand as your toothbrush, it’s important to find a company that offers softer bristle options.
Look for Helpful Features
Today’s electric toothbrushes have different features. Choosing the ones that will be the most beneficial to you will help you get the most value out of your brush. For example, most electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer for two minutes and will automatically shut off or let you know when your two minutes of brushing are up.
Other toothbrushes have pressure sensors, which let you know when you are brushing too hard. These sensors can be beneficial for people who tend to brush their teeth too aggressively. Some electric toothbrushes even have customizable settings, such as one for sensitive teeth or gums, so you can personalize your brushing experience.
Get a Toothbrush With the ADA Seal of Acceptance
The ADA Seal of Acceptance means that the manufacturer of the product has submitted evidence that supports the safety and efficacy of the product. The ADA evaluates this evidence and awards its seal or not. Choosing an electric toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance means that the toothbrush has been demonstrated to be effective. You can find a list of accepted products through the ADA’s website [3].
Pick a Toothbrush You’ll Use
Although you can search for all the right features in an electric toothbrush, it’s important to pick one that you’ll actually use. Whether that means choosing your favorite color or one that’s comfortable to hold and use, you want your toothbrush to work for you since you’ll be using it twice a day. Some toothbrushes even come with an app to track your progress and a charging station so you don’t have to worry about batteries [4]. Many electric toothbrushes offer a money-back guarantee if you don’t love the product so you can be sure to find the toothbrush that makes the most sense for you.
Do You Have an Electric Toothbrush You Love?
Have you found an electric toothbrush that you love yet? If not, ask your dentist for recommendations or start shopping with these criteria in mind. A brighter, cleaner smile is only a toothbrush away!
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652371/
2. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-
topics/toothbrushes
3. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/ada-seal-of-
acceptance
4. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/toothbrushes/buying-guide/index.htm
